Courmayeur

Courmayeur Ski Area

The main ski area is situated directly across the valley from the town of Courmayeur and can be roughly divided into two areas, conveniently illuminated by the path of the sun. The first area is that of Checrouit which is North East facing and gets the morning rays; the second area is Pre de Pascal / Val Veny which is North West facing and warms up in the afternoon. Several lifts take you up to the ridge which divides them, so it's easy to ski from one to the other. There is also a separate area purely for off-piste skiers which is accessed by the Monte Bianco Skyway lift along the valley at Entreves. This does not connect with Courmayeur's main ski area, but from its highpoint at Punta Helbronner, skiers can descend into Chamonix on the Vallee Blanche and other off-piste routes.

Although there is a red run from the main ski area back to Dolonne, most people return to Courmayeur by cable car, and there are facilities to leave ski and board equipment at the top of the lifts, which is definitely worth doing.

The Courmayeur and Dolonne ski lifts arrive in Plan Checrouit, a focal point in the Courmayeur ski area and the normal starting point for Ski School lessons. The Biancaneve Mini Club for children is also found here, along with ski school booking offices, and a choice of hire shops, restaurants and bars. The easier blue runs for beginners are accessed from Plan Checrouit.

The Val Veny cable car arrives in Pre de Pascal, which also has a ski hire shop, ski school booking office and a good bar and restaurant. From Pre de Pascal the first descent is on the long blue run towards Zerotta, which though not difficult, has a couple of steep sections.

There are moving carpet lifts for beginners in both Plan Checrouit and Pre de Pascal, though due to space limitations, the one in Plan Checrouit can only be used when accompanied by a ski instructor.

The 6-man Pra Neyron chairlift is a good place to start the days skiing, as it is close to the arrival point of the Courmayeur cable car and the Dolonne gondola. From the top choose either the pleasant blue run back to Plan Checrouit, the short easy red towards Tzaly, or descend towards Val Veny and the Zerotta chairlift on the black Diretta piste. For an easier route to the Val Veny, take the old Dzeleuna chairlift from part way down the blue Pra Neyron piste.

The old two man chairlift, the Maison Vieille, will also transport you to Tzaly, which is a popular place for beginners. At Tzaly there is a new drag lift with a lovely blue run and spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Non-skiers are allowed in both directions on the Maison Vieille chairlift and there is a fabulous restaurant/bar with indoor and outdoor tables at the top.

The Chiecco drag lift to the south of the area serves a pleasant blue run bordered by several mountain restaurants, all of which are good! The Checrouit bubble takes you onwards to the top of the Col Checrouit (2,256 m), from where you can either continue your journey up the small antique cable car to Cresta Youla (2,624 m). Like Russian dolls, there is an even smaller cable car running to the top of the Cresta d'Arp (2,763 m) which accesses a couple of off-piste itineraries and a splendid view. The Cresta Youla is only worth queuing for the views and the off-piste, as the one pisted run down is a steep but short, unremarkable red.

The intermediate red runs around Checrouit are very pleasant, wide and moderately pitched. The fast Aretu chair might only achieve 380 metres of vertical but eases the pressure on the main lift and is good for a few quick runs. Remember you're skiing in Italy, so by now you have done more than enough to earn the right to your first mid-morning pit-stop. Fanning right from Checrouit there are a few nice runs on the Checrouit side of Monte Chetif (2,343m). For quiet slopes and excellent snow head up to the north facing Plan de la Gabba lift and the red runs to either side of it.

In the afternoon, the sun and the crowds move around to the Val Veny flank where there are some very pretty runs down through the trees both on and off the piste. The black dell'Orso piste is left ungroomed and offers an alternative, fun route down to the Peindeint and Zerotta chairlifts. The views from all over the main ski area are very dramatic: across the floor of the Val Veny rises the inspiring mass of the Mont Blanc range, stretching from Mont Blanc to the Grands Jorasses, the two giants of the range. Between these two points is a mass of off-piste terrain.

Other Resorts

Chamonix and La Thuile can both be easily reached, by car or bus. They may also be included in your Courmayeur lift pass, but it depends which one you have and how long it lasts.

Courmayeur Ski Lifts & Lift Passes

Courmayeur Ski Lifts

Courmayeur itself is located at an altitude of 1,224m and the highest lift arrives at an altitude of 2,755m (3,462m at the Punta Helbronner for off piste descents) The ski ifts run from early December until mid April. The ski area is quite compact which makes Courmayeur a great resort for mixed ability groups.  Serviced by a mixture of new and older lifts, the pisted runs are clearly marked and well groomed throughout the season. Though the area can become busy at peak holiday periods and some weekends, for the most part queuing is not an issue.

There are four lifts from the valley: the main Courmayeur cable car, on the western fringe of the town; the Dolonne gondola from the hamlet of Dolonne; the Val Veny cable car, close to the hamlet of Entreves; and the Monte Bianco Skyway also at Entreves, which accesses the separate off-piste skiing area below Punta Helbronner.

The Courmayeur and Dolonne lifts arrive in Plan Checrouit, which is a focal point in the Courmayeur ski area and the normal starting point for Ski School lessons. The Biancaneve Mini Club for children is also located in Plan Checrouit along with ski school booking offices and a choice of hire shops, restaurants and bars. The easier blue runs are accessed from Plan Checrouit and beginners, as well as families with young children are advised to choose accommodation which offers reasonable access to either the Courmayeur or Dolonne lift.

The Val Veny cable car arrives in Pre de Pascal, which also has a hire shop, ski school booking office and a good bar and restaurant. From Pre de Pascal the first descent is on the long blue run towards Zerotta, which though not difficult, has a couple of steepish sections. The views from Pre de Pascal towards Mont Blanc and the glaciers are spectacular.

There are moving carpet lifts for beginners in both Plan Checrouit and Pre de Pascal, though due to space limitations, the magic carpet in Plan Checrouit can only be used when accompanied by a ski instructor.

The Monte Bianco Skyway give access to some of Courmayeur's off-piste ski and board areas, including the Toula glacier and the famous Vallèe Blanche descent to Chamonix. Departing from Entrevers, the Skyway transports you to Punta Helbronner, at a height of 3,462m, via pavillon. On a clear day it is well worth taking the trip, even without planning to ski, just to admire the spectacular views from the top.

Courmayeur Ski Lift Passes

Lift passes can be purchased at the bottom of all 4 valley lift stations. The cheapest of the available lift passes covers the 21 ski lifts and 100km of pisted runs in Courmayeur itself, and a 6-day Courmayeur pass allows for two days in neighbouring Aosta Valley resorts - La Thuile and Pila are both relatively easy to reach.  Alternatively the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass covers the lifts in Courmayeur and Chamonix (including Les Houches and the Grands Montets cable car at Argentiere), plus Verbier (hard to reach, ski in and return from in a day without your own car) and the Mont Blanc Evasion area which includes Megeve and St Gervais (even harder to reach. ski in and return from in a day without your own car). This gives access to all the skiing you could possibly want but it is pricey., and it's only really worth it for advanced skiers with their own transport who intend to do a lot of skiing away from Courmayeur itself. Everyone else is probably better off j buying the Courmayeur pass and supplementing it with occasional Chamonix day passes.

Reduced rate passes are available to the over 65's and under 14's. Children under 8 years of age qualify for a free pass where an accompanying adult buys one of the same duration.  Proof of age is required for free or reduced rate passes. Beginners can purchase a daily pass which covers the cable car to Plan Checrouit and use of the easiest blue runs in that area. Non-skiers can buy reasonably priced return tickets for the cable cars and the Dolonne gondola.

Courmayeur Beginner Skiing

Courmayeur has a number of moving carpet lifts for beginners to get started on, but due to the limited space, the one at Plan Checrouit can only be used when skiing with the ski school and accompanied by a ski Instructor.  Those in Pre de Pascal and Dolonne are less accessible, but open to everyone.

The Chiecco draglift services a short blue run which is accessible from Plan Checrouit, but following on from their first moves on the carpet lifts, beginners normally take the old chairlift up to Tzaly, which has to be one of the most inspirational learning areas in the world. The Tzaly area, with its easy drag lift is high enough to guarantee good snow, and the views of Mont Blanc are sensational.

Mont Blanc looks down inspirationally from on high, the view opens up the entire valley and if you don't catch the bug here, you never will! The famous 'Maison Vieille' restaurant is situated at the top of this chairlift and at the end of the day beginners can take the lift to return to the Plan Checrouit area. Beginners who progress reasonably well will be able to try the long blue run from the Pra Neyron chairlift, and the blue Val Veny run, accessed via Pre de Pascal.

The Dolonne beginners' area with its three good sized moving carpet lifts is not covered by the Courmayeur ski pass and therefore requires payment of an additional charge. Though it is a good place for children to learn to ski, it may be limiting for those accompanying them! Facilities here include a good children's play area, snow tubing and tobogganing alongside a bar which has deckchairs to rent.

Courmayeur Intermediate Skiing

Courmayeur is a great resort for mixed ability groups as there are plenty of central meeting places and mountain restaurants that most levels of skier will be able to reach.  Courmayeur, more than anywhere, is the place to take long lunches!

The Checrouit reds are all enjoyably different ways down the same flank. The high altitude red runs to either side of the Plan de la Gabba lift are very pleasant, have good snow conditions throughout the season, and tend to be quiet as well!

The runs above Zerotta offer more of a challenge, as do the lower runs down through the trees. The long, winding 'Internazionale' red run, is the best descent on this side of the valley.

The 6 day Courmayeur lift pass includes two days access to neighbouring Aosta Valley resorts. To add an extra dimension to your skiing, make sure you purchase a lift pass which includes days in the neighbouring Aosta Valley resorts,  and will allow you to ski La Thuile.

La Thuile is easy to visit, being just 20 minutes drive or 40 minutes away by local bus. It incorporates the French ski area of La Rosiere and has an abundance of long and varied runs for intermediates. The longest of the runs is an 11km red from the Col du Petit Saint Bernard back to La Thuile.

Strong intermediates should not miss the opportunity of skiing the Vallee Blanche, which is a once in a lifetime experience for enthusiastic, experienced skiers. The descent begins at Punta Helbronner (3,462m) and ends in Chamonix (1,037m), an off-piste descent of 24km. When you ski the Vallee Blanche from the Italian side you avoid the scary ridge walk that forms the start on the Chamonix side.

The Vallee Blanche is a breathtakingly panoramic run in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif. The Society of Mountain Guides in Courmayeur organise group excursions (between 4 and 8 people per group), and will supply all the necessary equipment.

Courmayeur Advanced & Off-Piste Skiing

The main attraction of Courmayeur for advanced and expert skiers is the superb off piste and opportunities for heli-skiing, partly on the Mont Blanc itself, as the many day trippers from Chamonix will testify.

Courmayeur Piste skiing for advanced skiers

The four black runs have a few steep sections and some testing mogul fields. The Pista dell’Orso, which is not groomed, is a fun and very bumpy descent on the Val Veny side.

Courmayeur Off-Piste

There is some excellent tree-lined powder off the side of the blue Val Veny piste as it descends to the Zerotta chairlift. Higher up in the main ski area, you can drop into Val Veny by heading skier's left from the side of Aretu, or by descending under the Cresta Youla cable car towards Plan de la Gabba. The other off-piste in this area is mainly accessed from Cresta d'Arp (2,755m), the top of the resort, and there are dedicated itineraries far from the pistes. Either head skier's right round the back of the main range through Arp Vielle to Val Veny, a superb, long descent with wonderful views over the south face of Mont Blanc and the Miage glacier (may involve a short walk at the end) or alternatively, reach the Col d'Arp and descend to Dolonne through the woods and a wide gorge (1,500m of vertical). There is also a long itinerary heading South from Arp through the Youla gorge which very nearly reaches La Thuile (the final leg is by taxi). Some of Courmayeur's lift passes include one day here and there is decent off-piste and advanced skiing in La Thuile, so it's well worth a day trip or two. A good bus service links it with Courmayeur, so returning is not a problem.

When conditions are good on the Mont Blanc flank, the terrain here is magnificent. It is steep, sometimes treacherous, always testing and there is the added psychological edge of knowing you're skiing on the side of the highest mountain in Western Europe. Access is via the Monte Bianco Skyway from Entreves that descends first to Pavillon then to Punta Helbronner. There are many different routes down from Punta Helbronner (3,462m), including what is probably the most interesting downhill run in the Courmayeur area; the 7 mile (12 km) Toula Glacier. There are alternative gullies and couloirs like the appropriately named 'Canale del Cesso' or 'Toilet Couloir',  the Mont Fréty and the Marbrèe glaciers with average 40° pitches, but these should only be attempted when conditions are appropriate.

Heli-Skiing in Courmayeur

The head of the Val Veny is the main destination for heliskiing in the Courmayeur area, and drops can be made on both sides of the valley:

The glacial terrainincludes various landing points, all above 3,500m in altitude, offering descents with vertical drops of around 1,500m. The Aiguille des Glaciers (3,816m), Aiguille de la Lex Blanche (3,686m), Aiguille de Trèlatéte (3,930m) and Aiguille de l'Aigle (3,512m) departure points, offer breathtaking routes over the stunning Lex Blanche, Estelette, Bionassay and Miage glaciers. Route difficulty ranges from the easy Lex Blanche to the extremely challenging Canale Bonatti.

The non-glacial Mont Fortin area offers magnificent non-glacial terrain on slopes facing Monte Bianco. There are various peaks of around 2,700m, among which Mont Fortin (2,758m) is the most famous offering rare views over the south west face of Monte Bianco. All the descents in this area are north facing and after a good fall of snow the powder is perfect. Though all descents start in steep gullies, they soon lead on to more gentle terrain, and return eventually to Val Veny and the Zerotta chairlift.

Heli-skiing is available through Heliski Courmayeur Mont Blanc in Entreves or the Courmayeur Society of Mountain Guides. Avalanche and mountain safety equipment including an avalanche beacon, spade and probes, and a harness (when on glaciers) is essential when skiing off-piste.  Avalanche beacons can be checked at Col Checrouit, Pre de Pascal and Pavillon (Mont Blanc cable car).

Heliski Courmayeur Mont Blanc
Tel: +39 349 5703570
Email [email protected]
Web: www.heliskicourmayeurmontblanc.it

Societa delle Guide Alpine di Courmayeur
Tel: +39 0165 842064
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.guidecourmayeur.com

Courmayeur Boarding & Freestyle

The Courmayeur snow park which is in Dolonne has jumps, rail and box, but no half pipe.  The park has a 15m x 15m air mattress for landing which allows beginners and non-beginners alike to try new tricks in total security.

Most of the domain is served by boarder friendly cable cars and chair lifts.  On piste boarding is mainly intermediate and there are many alternative routes for boarders to the sides of the piste, including the excellent tree-lined powder to the side of the blue Val Veny run, as it descends to the Zerotta chairlift.

Stronger riders come for the off-piste and can try the Toula Glacier as well as the Courmayeur area off piste itineraries, accessed from the Cresta d'Arp (2,763m). Heading right from Cresta d'Arp, take the superb long run through Arp Vieille to Val Veny. The bottom stretch of this run is flattish, and you may like to carry some poles for pushing!  Alternatively, reach the Col d'Arp and descend to Dolonne through the woods and a wide gorge (1,500 m of vertical).

The Vallee Blanche is suitable for snowboarders but you are advised to carry ski poles for the flatter stretches.

Courmayeur Mountain Restaurants

Courmayeur is justly famous for its mountain restaurants and eating on the mountain is one of the highlights of skiing in Courmayeur. The restaurants get busy at peak times and advance booking is recommended in the most popular of the restaurants. Most menus will include dishes based around polenta, soup, pasta, local sausages, and the local Fontina cheese, but  will also include pizza, sandwiches, salads, burgers, hot dogs and chips.

Some of the restaurant highlights on the Checrouit side include the Refuge Maison Vielle, the Christiana, Chateau Branlant, Chiecco and the Alpetta, all of which serve great food and are deservedly popular.

The Maison Vieille, has great food, a cosy Alpine ambience and stunning views of Mont Blanc from the outdoor eating area. Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, owner of the three Michelin star Fat Duck restaurant, has been spotted here on more than one occasion. The Christiania offers good food including pizza and pasta dishes and is in an ideal location for when ski school finishes at Plan Checrouit.

The charming Chateau Branlant and the delightful Chiecco and are both very popular choices, close to the Chiecco drag lift. The Alpetta is a new and more modern restaurant/bar, also close to the Chiecco drag lift. Advance booking for lunch is advised for these restaurants, but drop in for a hot chocolate and you will not be disappointed.

Restaurant highlights on the Val Veny side include the Pre de Pascal self-service restaurant and bar offers good food, good value and a superb location. The Petit Mont Blanc at Zerotta is also worth trying, and often has an outdoor barbeque on the go.  The Cai Uget, en route to the Val Veny, is an old style refuge with a panoramic terrace. It also provides basic accommodation.

Both the Maison Vieille and the Petit Mont Blanc organise evening meals for groups on request and will arrange for your transportation with snow mobiles and snow cats.

Alpetta Tel: +39 335 613395 / +39 339 5655688

Cai Uget Tel: +39 328 5941648

Chateau Branlant Tel: +39 0165 846584 / +39 347 8916847

Chiecco Tel: +39 338 7003035 / +39 347 2800579

Christiania Tel: +39 0165 843572 / +39 335 5422389

Petit Mont Blanc Tel: +39 0165 869066 / +39 338 3480372

Pré de Pascal Tel: +39 0165 869090

Refuge Maison Vieille Tel: +39 328 0584157 / +39 337 230979

Courmayeur Town

Courmayeur is a charming old town with narrow streets, old stone churches and an attractive pedestrianised centre. The streets come alive in the evenings as the Italians take their 'passegiata' along Via Roma and the skiers head to the bars to enjoy a well deserved drink. Shops are varied and interesting with plenty of high quality clothing, sportswear and equipment shops alongside more traditional antique shops, galleries, delicatessen and other specialist food stores.

Since the 18th century, Courmayeur has been a favoured destination with climbers and mountaineers, but the origins of the town lie in the Roman era, when both gold and silver were mined locally. In the 17th century the therapeutic spring waters attracted visitors and the opening of the Mont Blanc tunnel in 1965 ensured a good flow of traffic, and expansion of the town. Despite the addition of some modern buildings, Courmayeur still retains its Italian charm and character and it has a wide range of accommodation options.

Ski hire and equipment rental in Courmayeur

There are plenty of ski rental shops, but their prices are quite high if you simply walk into them when you arrive. Some hotels and tour operators have recommended shops, but they rarely offer the best value even if they give a small discount (usually 5% or 10% at most) to the hotel or tour operator's guests. Generally, if you want to save money, you're much better off booking in advance with a reliable service provider like the one below.

Pre-book with Skiset in Courmayeur and save up to 50%

Skiset has an excellent reputation for hiring out good modern equipment for skiers and boarders of all standards and has an outlet in Courmayeur Plan Checrouit which is very convenient for the slopes. If you book online in advance, you can save up to 50% on what you would pay if you walk into the shop. You will also save time when you arrive in the resort, because your ski rental equipment is reserved, fully prepared and ready and waiting for you. 

Check Skiset advance booking discounts currently available in Courmayeur >>>

 When to come to Courmayeur

Courmayeur becomes very busy with Italians during peak holiday periods such as New Year and the Carnival week in mid February, but the nationalities of the guests outside these periods is fairly mixed with visitors coming from all over Europe, as well as further afield.

Further details

For further details of hotels, chalets, apartments and B&Bs, please see our Courmayeur accommodation page.

For other details please contact the tourist office.

Monte Bianco Tourist Office, Courmayeur
Piazzale Monte Bianco,13
Tel: +39 0165.842060
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.aiat-monte-bianco.com

Courmayeur Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants

Courmayeur Apres Ski Bars

Courmayeur has a great evening atmosphere with a selection of stylish, traditionally furnished bars to choose from. Both the Caffe  della Posta and the Cadran Solaire have a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere, whereas the Bar Roma is more lively. Features of all the bars are the comfy furnishings and the delicious free canapés served with drinks before dinner.

The back room at the Caffe della Posta is very popular for drinks in the early evening, and usually has a roaring open fire.  It is also good for a civilised cup of tea and cake, or a tasty day time snack. Bar Roma is a beautiful stone-walled bar full of ornate Italian furniture. It's a hive of activity around 5 o'clock and later into the evening when a lavish, complementary spread is laid out, and after a drink here you may not actually need dinner!

The bar at Le Grand Chalet, close to the bottom of the Courmayeur cable car, is a popular stopping off point after the day's skiing. The centrally located Bar delle Guide is relaxed, informal and offers satellite TV.  The American bar also airs many of the major sporting events throughout the season, and is another popular choice which is open until late.  The Prive is a more sophisticated cocktail bar.

Courmayeur Restaurants

Courmayeur is world famous for its food - both on and off the mountain. The town offers a number of excellent restaurants as well as some good value pizzerias and traditional restaurants.  In many cases, and especially at weekends, advance booking is advised. The following restaurants listed below are all recommended for the quality of their food as well as service and atmosphere:

Cadran Solaire

An excellent, traditional Italian restaurant on Via Roma in central Courmayeur Tel: +39 0165 844609

l'Etoile

Close to the Grand Chalet apartments the Etoile has a lovely modern Alpine ambience, great meat dishes and pizza.  Don't be put off by the exterior! Tel: +39 0165 848157

Ristorante lo Sciatore

This new grill restaurant in Dolonne offers excellent charcoal grilled meat dishes.  It is very popular with the Italian weekenders. Tel: +39 0165 844788

Vieux Pommier

The Vieux Pommier is a good value, traditional restaurant serving many local meat and cheese specialities and is a great place to try fondue and raclette. Tel: +39 0165 842281

Mon Frety

Under the same ownership as the famous Christiania at Plan Checrouit, the Mon Frety offers excellent food in a sophisticated and modern environment. Tel: +39 0165 845095

Al Vecchio Torchio

A great new wine bar with friendly service, Al Vecchio Torchio offers a delicious selection of good value, informal meals and pasta dishes alongside a good glass of wine. Tel: +39 0165 842258

La Terrazza

In the centre of town, La Terrazza offers fondue and raclette specialities, pizza and excellent charcoal grilled meat dishes. Tel: +39 0165 843330

Pierre Alexis

Hidden up a narrow side street off Via Roma, the Pierre Alexis is an excellent restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes and some good vegetarian options. Tel: +39 0165 843517

l'Ermitage in Ermitage

The food is good traditional fayre, and the views from the terrace of this charming mountain restaurant are spectacular. You will however need to travel either by car, taxi or local bus up to the hamlet of Ermitage. Tel: +39 0165 844351

La Maison de Filippo in Entreves

In the hamlet of Entreves, the historic but rather touristy Maison de Filippo is justly famous for its fixed price gourmet feast, currently priced at around €45.00. Tel: +39 0165 869797

La Tavernier del Pilier in Entreves

A good quality restaurant located within the Hotel Pilier d'Angle in the hamlet of Entreves. Tel: +39 0165 869760

Miravalle in Val Ferret

A traditional and cosy wood panelled restaurant in the scenic Val Ferret. Tel: +39 0165 869777

Pizzerias, Crepes & Snacks

For a more economical meal try one of the many pizzerias like Du Tunnel, which has a wood burning oven and serves huge pizzas, or head to the Petit Bistrot which is famous for its crepes, but also offers a good selection of salads, snacks and simple meals throughout the day.  At Pan per Focaccia, on Via dei Giardini, just off Via Roma, you can eat in or take out tasty slices of pizza, focaccia and chick pea farinata.

Courmayeur nightlife

Though there are a couple of night clubs in the outlying hamlets, the best night life is normally found in the central bars of the Via Roma like the Prive Cocktail Bar and the more informal American Bar, both of which stay open until late.

Courmayeur Other Activities

The local scenery is simply stunning with spectacular mountain peaks and pleasant wooded valleys. The Courmayeur ski area offers a good range of pisted runs, easily accessible off-piste itineraries, heli-skiing, fabulous cross-country ski routes, pleasant walking and a wide range of sporting and other leisure activities.

An Italian style 'passegiata' with optional shopping, is a popular evening pass time, and there is also an Alpine Museum. Dolonne houses a large sports centre with a full size ice rink, squash, tennis, climbing wall and gym as well as table tennis, table football, sauna and steam facilities. The nearest public swimming pool is in neighbouring Pré-St-Didier, which is accessible by local bus.

Cross-Country Skiing in Courmayeur

The cross country skiing is found in the Val Ferret, which is easily accessible by bus from central Courmayeur. The trails are easy to follow and well groomed, and the scenery is outstanding. Equipment can be hired and lessons booked, close to the entrance to the pistes.

Ice Skating in Courmayeur

There is a large ice skating rink in the sports centre in Dolonne.

The Monte Bianco Cable Cars

On a clear day it is well worth taking the three stage ride in the cable car from La Palud up to Punta Helbronner (3,462m). The views of the mountains and surrounding area from the top are quite breathtaking. Europe's highest botanic garden is to be found part of the way up, but needless to say there is not much to see during the winter months!

Shopping in Courmayeur

Shopping comes high on the list of non-skiing activities in Courmayeur. Shops are varied and interesting with plenty of high quality clothing, sportswear and equipment shops alongside more traditional antique shops, jewellers, galleries, delicatessen and other specialist food stores.

Swimming, Sauna & Spa Facilities in Courmayeur

Many of the hotels have saunas and spa areas that are open to the paying public, one of the best being the spa at Le Grand Chalet Apartments. The Hotel Gran Baita also has a small swimming pool which is open to the public.

There is a large public swimming pool in neighbouring Pre San Didier and the thermal baths in Pre St Didier offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor spa pools and treatments in superb surroundings, with views towards Mont Blanc. Hotels will arrange for transportation.

Children's Play Areas

The fun park in Dolonne offers a playground and other facilities for children, including a bouncy castle.  Snow tubing and tobogganing are also available!

Tourist Information

For more information contact the tourist office in Courmayeur:

AIAT Monte Bianco Tourist Office
Piazzale Monte Bianco, 13, Courmayeur
Tel: +39 0165 842060
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aiat-monte-bianco.com

Consorzio Operatori Turistici
Piazzale Monte Bianco, 14, Courmayeur
Tel: +39 0165 842370
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.vallemontebianco.it